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Shakhtar Donetsk snap up Genoa defender Alan Matturro in permanent switch
The Uruguay international swaps Serie A for the Ukrainian champions, adding depth to a back line that needs fresh legs and a left-footed option.
Shakhtar Donetsk have completed the signing of Genoa defender Alan Agustín Matturro Romero on a permanent transfer, the club announced on 25 August 2026. The 21-year-old Uruguay international, who wears the number 3 jersey, arrives from Genoa for an undisclosed fee after a season-long loan spell in Spain with Levante.
At a glance
- Age & role: 21-year-old defender, number 3
- Deal: Permanent transfer from Genoa to Shakhtar Donetsk, 25 August 2026
- Fee: Undisclosed
Career context
Matturro's journey has taken him from the Uruguayan Primera División to Europe's bigger stages. He began his senior career at Defensor Sporting, where he helped the club lift the Segunda División and Copa Uruguay titles in 2021 and 2022 respectively. A €3 million move to Genoa in January 2023 marked his arrival in Italian football, and he quickly became a regular in the Rossoblu defence.
His performances earned a loan move to Levante in July 2025, where he gained valuable La Liga experience. Across 21 competitive appearances for the Spanish side — 19 in La Liga and two in the Copa del Rey — he logged 1,112 minutes on the pitch. A return to Genoa followed in June 2026 before Shakhtar moved to secure his permanent signature.
Internationally, Matturro was part of Uruguay's FIFA U20 World Cup-winning squad in 2023, adding youth-level silverware to his collection.
How he fits at his new club
Standing at 189 cm with a lean 74 kg frame, Matturro offers Shakhtar a technically sound, left-footed defensive option. His API-Football attributes paint a picture of a player comfortable in duels — rated 100 in that category — with solid defensive (53) and technique (53) scores, while contributing modestly in attack (9) and creativity (19).
At Levante, he operated primarily as a central defender, partnering with more experienced campaigners in a back line that often found itself under pressure. His pass accuracy sat at 82% in La Liga and improved to 87% in the Copa del Rey, suggesting he's comfortable playing out from the back — a trait that should suit Shakhtar's possession-based approach.
Apps
Goals
Assists
Minutes
Rating
With Shakhtar having recently relocated to Lviv's Arena Lviv due to ongoing conditions in Donetsk, bolstering the defensive unit with a player familiar with high-intensity South American and European football could prove crucial as they rebuild.
Recent numbers
During his loan spell at Levante in the 2025 season, Matturro's numbers were telling:
- La Liga: 19 appearances, 957 minutes, 1 goal, 1 assist, 6.51 rating
- Copa del Rey: 2 appearances, 155 minutes, 6.55 rating
Across those 21 matches, he won 53 of 90 duels (59% success rate), made 21 tackles, 6 blocks, and 9 interceptions. His passing accuracy remained consistent at 83% across all competitions, and he committed just 10 fouls while drawing 14 from opponents.
His card record was mixed — zero yellow cards but one red card in La Liga, indicating a disciplined yet occasionally aggressive style of play.
Key takeaways
- Matturro brings La Liga experience at the age of 21, having featured in 19 top-flight matches during his loan at Levante.
- His duel success rate of 59% (53/90) suggests he's effective in one-on-one situations, a key metric for any defender.
- With a pass accuracy of 83% and 559 total passes completed in his last season, he offers reliability in build-up play.
- His international pedigree includes a FIFA U20 World Cup winners' medal from 2023, showcasing his ability to perform on the biggest stages.
- At 189 cm, he provides a physical presence in set-piece situations, both defensively and offensively.
| Metric | Levante (2025) | Genoa (2023–24 est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 21 | 12 (lineups) |
| Minutes | 1,112 | ~1,000+ |
| Duels Won % | 59% | — |
| Pass Accuracy | 83% | — |
| Rating | 6.51 | — |
Matturro's move to Shakhtar represents a calculated gamble on a player who has already proven himself across three different leagues and continues to develop. If he can stay fit — having dealt with a hamstring injury that kept him sidelined until September 2025 — he could become a cornerstone of Shakhtar's defensive rebuild.